News

Mass. school bus struck by 2 bullets; no one hurt

The Associated Press

Posted:
01/16/2014 10:26:06 AM CST

HOLYOKE, Mass.—The mayor and police chief vowed to crack down on violence after a school bus transporting 10 children was struck by gunfire.

The bus carrying students between the ages of 6 and 13 from the Holyoke Community Charter School was struck Wednesday afternoon. No one on the bus was hurt. Police do not think the vehicle was targeted and was struck inadvertently.

Investigators say nine shots were fired, and two of them struck the back of the bus but did not penetrate to the interior.

"This kind of criminal behavior cannot be tolerated in the city of Holyoke," Mayor Alex Morse said in a statement, while asking witnesses to come forward.

"The residents of this neighborhood do not stand for this, I do not stand for this, and Holyoke will not stand for this. We need full cooperation from the community in order to bring these violent offenders to justice," he said.

Police Chief James Neiswanger said, "We'll do everything we can to lock them up."

One witness told investigators he saw a silver car with a man with facial hair in a gray hooded sweatshirt shoot at the car in front of him. Both cars then left the area, the witness told police.

Lt. James Albert said there were a lot of people out and about at the time, and he thinks more people saw something.